Who knew 17 years could go so fast? By the time it takes to send a kid to college, I’ve been toiling, mostly joyfully, at the Chronicle and SFGate.com. I am headed to KNBR 680-AM, where I will also be making radio appearances and occasionally filling in as a co-host and continuing as part of …

Smith’s quiet performance – he had two quarterback hurries and one QB hit, according to Pro Football Focus – raised logical questions about his conditioning after he missed five games while undergoing treatment for a substance-abuse problem. …

“Is it just offensive coordinator’s play calling?” Young said Wednesday on his weekly appearance on KNBR. “We don’t have any threats on the perimeter? Is that the issue? Is that the real issue? Or is it now, fundamentally, Trent Dilfer was onto something last week saying about, ‘No, it’s Colin.’ …

With that in mind, Snyder could have an extended stay in the starting lineup. He hasn’t started a game at left guard since 2008, but he’s known for his versatility and anticipates a seamless transition. Of the 83 career starts in his nine-year career, he’s made 28 at right guard, 21 at left tackle, 21 at right tackle, 10 at left guard and three at center. …

In the locker room today, Gore repeatedly referenced his dropped fourth-quarter pass in last week’s 23-20 loss to the Saints when queried about the 49ers’ recent offensive issues. With the 49ers leading 20-17 with seven minutes, a wide-open Gore dropped a potential big-gainer on 2nd-and-9 from San Francisco’s 21-yard line. …